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Police urge regional indoor range and joint training site; county partners, NTC suggested
Summary
Wausau police presented long‑range planning for a modern training center and indoor shooting range; staff said the cost could reach millions and recommended interagency and North Central Technical College partnerships to share cost and use.
Wausau police briefed the committee on July 21 about the city’s aging outdoor shooting range, currently on 3M property, and the potential for a modern shared training facility with an indoor range and classrooms.
The department said the current outdoor range is decades old and permitted by 3M; the city cannot make improvements without local permitting approval. Chief Barnes and other presenters described indoor ranges in other parts of the state that initially quoted around $3.5 million and escalated to $7 million by project completion, and warned that a modern indoor facility could cost in the order of $7–10 million depending on scope.
Police staff urged the committee to consider regional collaboration. The department suggested a coalition including neighboring police agencies, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office and North Central Technical College as likely partners to share construction and operating costs and to centralize public‑safety training (including fire training and a burn tower). Alder members and staff recommended internal discussions first between police and fire to define common needs, then outreach to potential partners and NTC to refine scope, site and funding.
No money was requested for next year; presenters asked only for direction on whether to advance interagency talks and planning. Committee members encouraged the police and fire departments to meet and develop a joint concept before approaching other jurisdictions or funders.
